Nation: Who Came Out How

The convention revised some of the standings in the national Republican pecking order. Among them:

∙ DWIGHT EISENHOWER, for as long as he lives, remains a revered G.O.P. figure, but he has probably had his last chance at exercising a major influence over party decisions.

∙ WILLIAM SCRANTON, even in his losing, sometimes amateurish campaign, was an articulate candidate, appeared gracious and gallant in his final acceptance of defeat. Appearing before the convention after the first ballot had signaled his defeat, Scranton said: "Some of us did not prevail at this convention. But let it be clearly understood that this great Republican Party is our historic house. This is our home. We have no intention of deserting it. We are still Republicans—and not very still ones either. And let the Democratic Party find no comfort in the spirited campaign we have waged within our own party." Scranton's term as Governor of Pennsylvania is up in January 1967 and he cannot succeed himself, so he will probably work fulltime at exercising the leadership of moderate Republicanism that he assumed by running against Barry.

∙ NELSON ROCKEFELLER was a brave convention figure; but to remain a major Republican power, he would probably have to win re-election as Governor of New York in 1966, and that might be a chancy matter in view of the disinterest he has displayed in his statehouse chores for the last couple of years.

∙ RICHARD NIXON finally got aboard the Goldwater bandwagon, although his months of wily waiting in the G.O.P. wings did him no good with anyone. His convention speech did much, however, to repair his public image: he no longer seemed to have a chip on his shoulder.

∙ HENRY CABOT LODGE, having held both elective and appointive offices under both Republicans and Democrats, has probably reached the end of his days as a power in the G.O.P., whether Goldwater wins or loses.

∙ GEORGE ROMNEY was a wow on the convention rostrum but is a most unhappy soul in the Goldwater-dominated Republican Party; he plans to disassociate himself from Goldwater in his race for re-election as Governor of Michigan this year, and he could have a hard time winning. But if he does win while Barry loses, watch Romney in '68.

∙ CHARLES PERCY and ROBERT TAFT JR.: Watch them too if Percy is elected Governor of Illinois and Taft wins an Ohio Senate seat in the year of a national Republican loss.